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Is the First or Second Miraidon Better in Pokémon Violet? A Trainer’s Deep Dive

The burning question on every Pokémon Violet player’s mind after conquering Area Zero: is the first Miraidon or the second Miraidon better? The short answer? It depends entirely on what you’re looking for in a Legendary Pokémon. The first Miraidon is your trusty steed, your partner in crime, and ultimately, a permanent fixture of your journey. The second Miraidon, however, offers the potential for optimized stats and a space on your competitive team, but it requires a bit of work to achieve peak performance. Let’s unpack this in detail, examining the pros and cons of each.

The Case for Your First Miraidon: Unbreakable Bond and Story Significance

Your first Miraidon is arguably irreplaceable. It represents the culmination of your adventure, a symbol of the bond you forged with a futuristic Pokémon struggling to understand its place in the world. While it initially serves as a rideable Pokémon, it eventually unlocks its Battle Form upon completion of the main story.

Sentimental Value Matters

While not quantifiable, the sentimental value of your first Miraidon should not be dismissed. You experienced the entire game with this Pokémon, developing a unique connection that simply can’t be replicated. No amount of optimized stats can replace that. This connection enhances the overall experience, a factor often overlooked when min-maxing stats. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) emphasizes the importance of engagement and emotional investment in learning experiences, and this bond is a prime example of how these elements enrich gameplay.

Practicality and Immediate Access

Your first Miraidon is immediately available after completing the main story, ready to battle. You don’t need to worry about catching it, influencing its Nature, or EV training it (though that’s still an option if you wish). It’s simply there, ready to assist you in post-game content. This provides immediate gratification and a seamless transition into exploring the end-game.

The Case for the Second Miraidon: Competitive Potential and Customization

The second Miraidon, found deep within Area Zero after the credits roll, offers a different set of advantages. This is the Miraidon that appeals to competitive battlers and trainers who prioritize optimization above all else.

Nature and IV Manipulation

The primary draw of the second Miraidon is the ability to influence its Nature and Individual Values (IVs). While you can use Mints to change a Pokémon’s stat growth to simulate a specific Nature, the actual Nature itself remains unchanged. The second Miraidon allows you to catch one with a beneficial Nature right off the bat, saving you a Mint. While not perfect, its IVs can also be improved using Bottle Caps and Hyper Training at the end-game. It is important to note that even with the best possible nature and IV’s the second Miraidon can never be shiny due to being Shiny locked.

Team Integration and Competitive Viability

The second Miraidon can be added to your PC boxes and used on your competitive team. This allows you to finally utilize the electric dragon in the Battle Stadium. The first Miraidon is relegated to a mount, with no opportunity to battle online and demonstrate their power.

Trading Potential

Finally, the second Miraidon is tradeable. If you happen to catch a second Miraidon with exceptionally good IVs and the right Nature but don’t need it yourself, you can trade it to another player who might be searching for one.

Weighing the Options: Which Miraidon Should You Prioritize?

Ultimately, the “better” Miraidon depends on your personal preferences.

Choose your First Miraidon if:
- You value the sentimental connection and story significance.
- You want immediate access to a powerful battling Pokémon without needing to catch and train another.
- You’re not overly concerned with maximizing competitive potential.
Choose your Second Miraidon if:
- You prioritize competitive battling and team optimization.
- You want a Miraidon with a specific Nature and the potential for excellent IVs.
- You want the option to trade Miraidon with other players.

The ideal scenario is to appreciate both Miraidon for their unique contributions to your Pokémon Violet experience.

15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Miraidon

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity about Miraidon in Pokémon Violet:

Should I catch the second Miraidon? Absolutely! Even if you don’t plan on using it competitively, having the option to trade it or simply collect it is worthwhile.
Can I trade my original Miraidon? No. Your rideable Miraidon cannot be traded or placed in the PC boxes. Only the second one can be traded.
Can Miraidon be caught without a Master Ball? Yes, but it’s challenging. Miraidon has a very low catch rate. Use Ultra Balls, status conditions (Sleep or Paralysis), and stat boosting sandwiches to increase your chances.
Can you use Miraidon in online battles? Only the second Miraidon that you catch in Area Zero can be used in online battles. The first one is your ride Pokemon and cannot be used competitively.
What is the catch rate of Miraidon? Miraidon has a catch rate of 3, which is extremely low.
Can you lose the Miraidon fight? No, the battle is scripted. You cannot lose the fight against the second Miraidon.
Is the second Koraidon/Miraidon shiny locked? Yes, Koraidon and Miraidon are shiny locked in Scarlet and Violet.
Can you ride Koraidon in Violet? No, Koraidon is exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet. You can only ride Miraidon in Violet.
Is Koraidon or Miraidon better? It depends on your preference. Koraidon excels in physical attack, while Miraidon is strong in special attack. Choose based on your team composition.
Is Koraidon catchable? Only the second Koraidon is catchable for players who have Scarlet. The first one is a rideable mount.
What type is Koraidon? Koraidon is a Fighting/Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon. Miraidon is an Electric/Dragon-type.
What happens after I catch Koraidon/Miraidon? You can change their form between ride mode and battle mode (for the first one) and use the second one in battles.
What is the Master Ball for in Scarlet and Violet? The Master Ball guarantees a successful catch, regardless of the Pokémon’s catch rate. Save it for a particularly difficult or rare Pokémon.
What types are good against Miraidon? Ground, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy-type moves are effective against Miraidon.
Can you trade riding Koraidon/Miraidon? No, the riding forms of these Pokemon cannot be traded or boxed, only switched between ride mode and battle mode.

Is the first or second Miraidon better?